MANILA – A police officer who heads the anti-drug unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is now facing dismissal proceedings after testing positive for illegal drug use.
In a statement Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said he has already ordered the conduct of a pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings against Maj. Jivertson D. Pellovello, head of the ZCPO's City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU).
"Anybody who will test positive for drug use does not deserve to stay in the service any minute longer,” he said.
Pellovello has been placed under restrictive custody and was reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of Police Regional Office 9 while the pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings against him are ongoing.
Sinas said Pelovello was among 60 personnel of the ZCPO, including 12 CDEU personnel who underwent drug testing by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office last Dec. 18, 2020, where he tested positive.
A subsequent drug test on Jan. 6 showed that he was again found positive for drug use.
PRO 9 director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Ylagan, meanwhile, reported that Pelovello has been disarmed of his issued firearms and slapped with corresponding administrative charges. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
